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RT2


Roundtable:Counting colonial population: demography and the use of statistics in the Portuguese Empire, 1776-1875 
Convenor:
Paulo Teodoro de Matos (FCSH)
Formats:
Roundtables
Location:
Sala 36, Piso 0
Sessions:
Thursday 18 July, -
Time zone: Europe/Lisbon

Short Abstract:

This project aims to study the demographic evolution of the Portuguese overseas territories between 1776 and 1875 using systematized indicators. On the other hand we will pay attention to the census-taking process in the Empire, with a special emphasis on the data collection and its bureaucratic circuits.

Long Abstract:

Hosting Institution: CHAM - FCSH/Nova

Parter: International Institute of Social History

Funded by the Portuguese Agency for Research (2013-2015)

This project aims to study demographic and statistical processes in the Portuguese Empire between 1776 and 1910. As the focus of the empire shifted from Brazil to Africa in this period, the Portuguese Crown attempted to consolidate territorial occupation and resolve the complex problem of slavery. It was during this period that the authorities demonstrated an increasing interest in counting and controlling populations. The result of these efforts was the production of hundreds of statistical maps for the different territories.

This project represents the first attempt to collect, process, and analyze statistical tables ordered by the Crown, and to generate demographic series for each of the territories.

We will examine demographic patterns in each of the following settlements: Cape Verde, Guiné, São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, Mozambique, Portuguese India (1750-1910), Brazil (1750-1822) and Madeira-Açores (1750-1834). The project sets out to quantify: i) population growth rates, territorial divisions, and urbanization ratios; ii) population structures (socio-occupational, religious, ethnic composition and age groups); and iii) vital statistics (births and deaths).

On the other hand we will pay special attention to the social categories registered in the census for each of the Portuguese settlements and to the process of data gathering (normative framework).